There's no question about it: EDM has launched electronic music to unprecedented levels of popularity in the United States. Arena Rock has given way to Arena Rave and promoters and DJs are raking in millions of dollars. But those dazzling stage productions and two-story subwoofers didn't just drop out of the sky: Before EDM, there was dubstep; before dubstep, there was electro house; before that there was big beat and so on and so on. Electronic dance music has been picking up speed for more than three decades.

Detroit techno mainstay Richie Hawtin and German cohort Loco Dice are on a mission to spread the word about EDM's rich history. The two DJs are scheduled to kick off a college tour this week that will combine lectures with dance parties in the hope that drop-loving kids might be interested in hearing where it all started.

Hawtin's commitment to electronic dance music's history inspired us here at NPR Music to brush up on our favorite anthems of the past, as well as spread the word about some contemporary jams that we've been feeling. "Beyond EDM" is a 24/7 mix of house, techno, electro, dubstep, bass and hardcore, compiled by KEXP's Alex Ruder and a few of us here at NPR Music.